Pasco council asks to be annexed into Mid Columbia Library district; ballot vote would follow

The Pasco City Council adopted ordinance 4795 declaring the city’s intent to join and be annexed into the Mid Columbia Library district, a step that would move library funding from the city’s general fund to a dedicated library property‑tax levy if voters approve at the ballot stage.

A deputy city manager (name not specified in the record) told council the city has partnered with the Mid Columbia Library district for decades and that Pasco residents are among the highest users in the system. The staff presentation explained the annexation process: council’s declaration is a request to the library district board of trustees; if the board concurs the request, Franklin County would place the measure on a future ballot for Pasco residents to approve or reject.

Staff estimated the levy rate at roughly 23¢ per $1,000 of assessed valuation — about $115 per year on a home assessed at $500,000 — and noted the change would provide a dedicated, long‑term funding source for library services rather than relying on general‑fund allocations. The deputy city manager emphasized that the ordinance before council was a request to pursue annexation, not final approval of any levy or governance changes.

Councilmembers expressed support for letting voters decide. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm said he favored placing the question before voters. Council approved the ordinance by unanimous vote; the matter will next go to the Mid Columbia Library board of trustees for concurrence and then, if advanced, to the county ballot process.

Ending: If Pasco voters approve annexation at the ballot, library operations and governance would shift under the library district; staff noted further agreements could be required to address city facility leases or branch arrangements.